H 7380Elections & Voting

Elections - Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies

This bill bans ranked-choice voting in Rhode Island, ensuring voters can only select one candidate per open office position.

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Introduced Jan 28, 2026Committee House State Government & Elections

Plain-English Summary

This legislation prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting systems in all local, state, and federal elections within Rhode Island. Specifically, it bans any voting method that allows a voter to select or rank more than one candidate for the same office or reallocates votes from one candidate to another. The bill clarifies that at-large or multi-member district elections are still permitted, provided they adhere to a "one vote per position" rule without vote transfers. Any existing local ordinances conflicting with this law are declared void, and any election conducted using a prohibited system will be considered invalid.

For younger readers

When people vote for leaders, they usually pick just one person for the job. Some places use a different way called "ranked choice," where you list your first favorite, second favorite, and so on. This bill says that Rhode Island is not allowed to use that ranking method. Instead, everyone must stick to the rule of picking only one person for each spot on the ballot. If a town tries to use the ranking method, the election won't count. This makes sure voting stays the same as it is now for everyone in the state.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

VotersCandidates for Public OfficeMunicipal GovernmentsBoard of ElectionsPolitical Parties

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Ensures that voting remains simple and familiar, potentially preventing confusion and ballot errors among low-information voters, the elderly, or those with limited English proficiency who might struggle with complex ranking systems.
Avoids the potential for "exhausted ballots" found in ranked-choice systems, where votes from marginalized communities might be discarded if they do not rank enough candidates, ensuring their voice is still counted in the final tally.
Prevents the privatization of election infrastructure by avoiding reliance on proprietary software and algorithms often required to tabulate ranked-choice results, keeping election administration more transparent and locally manageable.
Prevents the adoption of a voting system that historically helps break the two-party monopoly, thereby limiting the ability of third-party, progressive, and minority candidates to run without being labeled as "spoilers."
Eliminates a tool that encourages more positive campaigning and coalition building, as candidates in ranked-choice systems often avoid attacking opponents to secure second-choice votes from their base.
Forces voters to continue engaging in "strategic voting" (voting for the lesser of two evils) rather than voting their true conscience, which often marginalizes progressive viewpoints in general elections.

For Conservatives

Upholds the traditional "one person, one vote" standard, ensuring that elections are decided by direct plurality rather than complex algorithms that reallocate votes.
Prevents the implementation of a system that often results in delayed election outcomes, thereby increasing trust in the speed and finality of election night results.
Stops a voting method that has been criticized for manufacturing majorities by eliminating candidates, ensuring that the winner is the candidate with the most actual votes in the initial count.
Represents a significant state government overreach by stripping local municipalities of the freedom to decide how to conduct their own local elections and voiding local ordinances.
Could disadvantage conservative candidates in deep-blue districts, where a ranked-choice system might otherwise allow a moderate conservative to win over a far-left candidate through consensus building.
Limits the ability of political parties to experiment with primary election methods that might better select the strongest candidate for a general election.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 16 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 17-19 of the General Laws entitled "Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 17-19-24.4. Ranked choice voting prohibition.

(a) In all elections, including primary elections, for any local, state, or federal public office, the following shall be prohibited:

(1) Voting systems that permit a voter to vote for more than one candidate for the same office;

(2) Voting systems that permit a voter to rank multiple candidates for the same office; and

(3) Voting systems that reallocate a voter's vote for one candidate to another candidate for the same office.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a locality from holding at-large elections or multi-member district elections, as long as voters have one vote per position and no votes are transferred between candidates.

(c) Any existing or future ordinance by any political subdivision of this state which is in conflict with this section is void.

(d) Any election for any public office in this state conducted under a voting system prohibited by subsection (a) of this section is void, and no candidate shall be elected under such a system.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.